Placing art, heritage and culture at the heart of our future.

The younger voice of the future in the Lakes and Dales.

What’s the issue?

Everyone knows that the Lakes and Dales are beautiful places, but the future of this and the communities that live here is under threat.

The population in these rural areas is aging as younger generations are choosing to leave the area or live in cities or other areas which are seen as more affordable, have better career opportunities and are more accessible.

Without more diverse, dynamic individuals with new ideas loving and living in these protected landscapes, the culture, economy and distinctiveness of the area have no future.

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We’re working to influence changes that mean that younger people have a choice...

...that you don’t feel like your only option is to live in a city in order to have a prosperous career and to own your own home.

...that you don’t feel like you have to sacrifice the benefits of living in a rural area to do what you want to do and be who you want to be.

...that you don’t see rural areas as places you live in after retiring.

Katy and Jake: Settle Coffee bar and bottle shop Boxer and Hound

There's lots to do

We want to hear from you. What’s your story, what do you love about living and working here, or if you don’t why not? Get involved and have your say.

We’re changing perceptions, so that by the time we’re done you and all your friends will aspire to live and work here because it’s the place to be.

We’re working with key players across the area to make the case for better transport links and digital coverage as well as job opportunities and affordable housing.

We’re building on the heritage of arts and culture here to provide new exciting experiences and tell the story of the place in a language that makes sense in this modern digital world.

We’re using the unique character and culture of the Lakes and Dales to create new business opportunities for you in this inspirational place.

We’re making it easier to try out new cultural projects and piloting new ways of working with city-based businesses.

Steph Dwyer – Yorkshire Dales Guides, Settle

Over to you.

If you want to be part of the future of the Lakes and Dales we’d love to hear from you.

Whether you’ve lived here all your life, moved away, come back or want to make the move, get in touch. If you’re an artist, designer, musician, techy, performer, athlete, chef, crafter, promoter, baker, explorer or anyone else who loves this special idyllic place we want to hear from you.

Get in touch

Great Place:

Lakes and Dales

is one of 16 pilot projects in England funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and Arts Council England

It is focused on the rural corridor linking Skipton in the south and Grasmere in the north, including the market towns and rural hinterlands, extending into both the Yorkshire Dales and Lake District National Parks.

Managed via the Consortium of Partnership Organisations, which is made up of additional funding partners including Craven District Council (lead authority), South Lakeland District Council, Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority and Lake District National Park Authority. Strategic delivery is managed by a creative board which includes additional cultural organisations.

The programme is funded from August 2017 – March 2020 and its main purpose is to understand the reasons for fewer 16 to 34 year olds than the national average living and working in the area and seek to address them, using arts, heritage and culture as the catalyst for economic, social and environmental change.